England forward Kirby – voted the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year by her peers and also won the inaugural Women’s Footballer of the Year award from the Football Writers’ Association – slowly grew into the game.

Chelsea continued to look to release their diminutive striker as the half-hour approached, but Kirby’s shot went straight at Arsenal keeper Sari van Veenendaal.

The Blues almost broke the deadlock late in the first half when Ji’s rising shot from 20-yards went just over.

Kirby played in Bachmann, who did not waste the opportunity this time, smashing the ball past van Veenendaal.

Bachmann added a second on the hour mark, cutting in from the right side of the penalty area and past a couple of red shirts before clipping the ball towards the top corner, which took a deflection as it looped up over the beaten Arsenal keeper.